The Barney Family  

Crabbing is good outdoor fun for anyone. Get a long handled dip net with the basket made of nylon mesh, rather than a cloth mesh net. Crabs fight, bite, twist and turn when they are caught. The nylon doesn't allow your crabs to get tangled up so easily. Learning to use the dip net to catch a crab takes some patience and practice, but practice will improve your skill.

The most basic of all methods, scapping involves the age-old "man against crab" ploy where a man simply takes a long-handled dip net and wades through the water looking for crabs among the eelgrass without bait. This method is practiced when hunting both hard and soft-shell crabs. An alternate method employs the use of a small boat where the crabber stands on the bow and uses the net's pole to push himself along near the shore. Crabs seek shallow water where they can hide in the eelgrass in order to molt. Once a crab molts, it is extremely weak and cannot easily swim away. Once spotted, the crabber simply scoops it aboard. Scapping hard crabs is best practiced at night with a lantern or bright light. Nocturnal crabs can be easily spotted swimming near the surface. Some claim that shining a bright light into the water will attract curious crabs.

Look for crabs clinging to bulkheads, pilings, and piers. Be certain you can reach them with your net, then scoop down, alongside, under and up. Chasing after crabs in shallow water is most exciting and offers a continuing challenge to your scooping talents and proficiency.

To dip net from a boat, travel slowly on the surface of the water, usually in and among the shallow water and high grass or reed protected marshes, you will see crabs resting or moving slowly on top of the water. The object is to get your boat as close as possible and scoop from the top or from the grasses with the extra length of your net. You may find that many of the crabs caught in these areas will be soft-shelled crabs, that have moved to these locations to shed their shell and gain cover from other crabs and fish.

After you have netted your crab, you need the proper container to keep it alive. The best container is a wooden bushel basket obtainable at any fruit or vegetable store. Always protect the crabs from the hot sun, cover them with wet burlap or a wet towel and occasionally dip the container in the water or pour water directly over the crabs to keep them wet and cool. A pail or bucket is not advisable because air cannot flow through this type of container and the crabs will die due to lack of oxygen. If you have no other option, then be sure to replenish or change the water often.

Crabs are transferred to the container by turning the net over and shaking it a little. Sometimes the crab will hold onto the net with his claws, be patient he will let go in a few moments. Sometimes crabs get loose so you should learn how to handle live crabs with tongs, gloves, or better yet with your bare hands. Always use caution and care and you will keep yourself from being "bitten".

If you catch a "buster" or "soft-shell" do not place it into the same receptacle with the hard-shell crabs as they will either eat or kill this crab. If you intend to keep these "soft-shell crabs" separate and place them in another container.

If you intend to keep your crabs for longer than a day, then consider constructing a crab box. This is usually a wooden structure made of slats to allow the circulation of water. The crab box is tied to the pier and supported in the water with floats. Feed the crabs leftover bait until you have enough fattened up for a feast!